Creighton men’s soccer ends season with shootout loss to UMBC

The No. 12 seed Creighton men’s soccer team fell to UMBC in a shootout 4-3 after a 0-0 draw in a 2014 NCAA Tournament quarterfinal match at Morrison Stadium on Friday evening.

UMBC (14-5-5) converted its final penalty kick attempt to win the shootout 4-3 and advance to its first College Cup next weekend. Creighton finishes its season at 16-3-3 after advancing to its seventh quarterfinal in its last 12 appearances.

Each team posted two shots in the first 45 minutes but neither team put one on goal. The Bluejays held their 21st opponent scoreless before the break this year, heading into halftime in a scoreless contest.

The Bluejays and Retrievers were evenly matched throughout the contest. UMBC led 7-6 in shots and posted three on goal. CU posted one shot on goal and led in corner kicks 4-3 in the match.

The overtime periods were just as even. CU freshman Lucas Stauffer just missed a shot wide to the left in the closing seconds of the first overtime.

Perhaps Creighton’s best scoring opportunity came with four minutes left in the second overtime when junior Fernando Castellanos’ shot just missed over the top of the goal.

CU junior goalkeeper Connor Sparrow did not surrender a goal in 120 minutes of regulation play.

Creighton missed its first two attempts of the shootout and fell behind 1-0 after two rounds. The final three Bluejays converted their kicks but the Retrievers did the same to win the shootout 4-3. UMBC senior Kay Banjo made the final penalty kick of the session to claim the shootout victory.

CU is now 13-3-0 all-time in NCAA Tournament games at Morrison Stadium. Creighton dropped to 12-3-0 at home in 2014.

After advancing to its seventh quarterfinal in its last 12 appearances, Creighton finishes its season at 16-3-3 following the 0-0 draw.